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Tennessee football’s 10 toughest records to break

By Caleb Calhoun

10 Oct 1998: Quarterback Tee Martin #17 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Tennessee defeated Georgia 22-3. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport
10 Oct 1998: Quarterback Tee Martin #17 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Tennessee defeated Georgia 22-3. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

4. 33-game unbeaten streak

1926-1930

Sticking with streaks, Tennessee football’s ascendance into national prominence under Robert Neyland was a streak of its own. In 1926, Neyland was hired as MB Banks replacement, and he had a simple task: Even the score in the Vols’ rivalry with the Vanderbilt Commodores. Well, that year, he lost to Vandy. However, it would be UT’s last loss for four years.

Neyland’s Vols went undefeated in 1927, 1928 and 1929. Here’s the catch, though, and why this record will never be broken: They had a tie each year. In fact, because of those ties, one of which was to Vanderbilt and two of which were the Kentucky Wildcats, they only managed to win the Southern Conference once during this time, 1927.

However, this was a streak that lasted 33 games and ended with a loss at the Alabama Crimson Tide four games into the 1930 season. Still, Neyland began a 28-game unbeaten streak after that, not losing again until 1933, when Rocky Top joined the SEC. They won the Southern Conference their final year in it amidst that second unbeaten streak, which was in 1932.

Now, in terms of a pure winning streak, that school record was Neyland’s second stint, from 1937 to 1939. However, that was only 23 games, and such a record could be broken nowadays by one undefeated season. As a result, that’s more breakable if the Vols return to prominence. But their 33-game unbeaten streak is almost impossible, especially with more competition now.

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